HUNAN: President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed the growing depth and strategic importance of Pakistan’s relationship with China, emphasizing its central role in Islamabad’s foreign policy during high-level engagements in Hunan province.
He expressed these views during a meeting with Shen Xiaoming, Party Secretary of Hunan Province, and later attended a banquet hosted in his honour by Governor Mao Weiming.
The discussions focused on enhancing practical cooperation in agriculture, health, education, and trade, while reaffirming the enduring strength of bilateral ties.
During the meeting, President Zardari invited Shen Xiaoming to visit Pakistan as part of the upcoming 75th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He also highlighted his longstanding personal connection with China, recalling that his late father-in-law Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and late wife Benazir Bhutto had always placed special importance on ties with Beijing.
President Zardari noted that this legacy is being carried forward by the next generation, including his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari.
Highlighting Hunan’s strengths in agricultural technology, the president said Pakistan is keen to benefit from Chinese expertise to enhance productivity. He expressed interest in deeper cooperation in seed technology, agricultural research, and modern farming practices, as well as expanding trade in agricultural machinery, mineral processing, and information technology.
Chinese officials noted that universities in Hunan have signed 12 cooperation agreements with Pakistani institutions, with 959 Pakistani students currently studying in the province, strengthening people-to-people connections.
At the banquet, Governor Mao Weiming described Pakistan and China as “good friends, good neighbours, good partners, and good brothers,” and reaffirmed Hunan’s commitment to contributing to the second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
In his remarks, President Zardari said Hunan holds special significance as the birthplace of Mao Zedong, adding that his legacy continues to resonate in Pakistan.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong said the visit reflects the president’s special regard for China and expressed hope that it would further strengthen bilateral cooperation and mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties in a meaningful way.
